Bruins worried about Olympic security, telling families not to go

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     It's a stressful time for the six members of the Bruins (including Claude Julien) who are preparing to head to Sochi for the Olympic Winter Games. Obviously, it's a high pressure environment, as is expected with any Olympic Games. However, this one has given the world a little more reason to be shaken.

     There are a surplus of questions revolving around the security of the games, which, as you know, are taking place in Sochi, Russia. Multiple national teams have received emailed terrorist threats, according to reports, elevated by the recent suicide bombings in the region (see bottom of page). As a result, the Bruins, like the rest of the Olympians, have been forced to question whether or not they think they and their families will be safe at the February games.

     This has brought a serious question to the table for the Bruins planning to attend the games: Should they bring their families?

“I told my family not to go, but my mom wants to go, so I can’t stop her,” said Bruins forward David Krejci (Czech Republic). “I would prefer if she wouldn’t go, and I understand everybody that doesn’t want their families to go.”

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     Russian president Vladimir Putin has promised to do everything that he can to ensure the safety of the athletes. However, many people, David Krejci included, must remain cautious.

“It’s kind of a scary situation,” Krejci said. “I’m pretty sure the Russian president is going to take care of everything and make the Olympic Games safe.

“I’ve been reading the papers and watching TV. I know there is lots of talk about it. I know they’re sending a lot of military people over there. It’s going to be interesting. You kind of don’t know what you’re getting into.”

    Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien, who will be the assistant coach of Team Canada, has been forced to consider the same question. Like Krejci, Julien has urged his family to remain at home, however his wife may be attending.

“That’s still a debate right now,” Julien said. “If anything, it will be my wife, but that’s still under debate right now. There is some concern, like everybody else. But there’s concern everywhere else. I think it’s been exposed more because of what it represents, but it’s a decision we’ll make later.”

     Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron has also asked his family to stay home. He told CSNNE.com that his family won't be attending the games. However, he has confidence that he'll be traveling to a safe environment.

“It is scary to some extent. I’m not necessarily concerned about it right now. I don’t feel that my own personal security is going to be in jeopardy over there, so I feel fine about going.

“I’ve heard about the recent threats but I haven’t thought about it too much. I’m still focused on playing the games here. It’s still a few weeks away and we have a lot of games left ...

Photo via canada.com

“My family, my wife, my brother went to Vancouver, but they’re not going this time. I’ve got to say security is part of it. I wanted to worry about my game and my team, and I didn’t want to have any other distractions.

“It’s still a huge honor to go to the Olympics. I’m focused on the Bruins right now, but I’m really excited about Sochi. I’m really looking forward to it.

“With the terrorist threats, it actually blows my mind that people could consider attacking the Olympics. It’s sad that it comes to that. It’s such an honor for athletes and such a great event. You work so hard to get there. It’s sad that this could happen ...

“I don’t know if anything could change my mind. You obviously don’t want to hear about anything happening. That’s the last thing you want to hear. But I feel like the security over there is going to handle it. I’m sure the Olympic village is going to be very secure. So right now, I feel OK.

“At Vancouver the security was great. It was actually hard to get in anywhere even as an athlete, to the village, the rink, or wherever. Our families were not allowed to come visit us in the village. I thought security was great four years ago and I’ve heard there’s even going to be more force there this time with the army.” -Quote via bostonherald.com

     Bergy has a point. It's terrible to think that people would target the games. The Olympics are a time of unity and enjoyment for the world, where athletes can come together and perform under the spotlight of the world. For athletes who have been training for years, it's obviously extremely disappointing to hear.



Follow Cam Hasbrouck on Twitter @CamHasbrouck and Bruins Life @BruinsLife
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Cole, Mike. "NESN." NESNcom. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
"Patrice Bergeron Won't Let Security Concerns Deter Winter Olympics Plans." Boston Herald. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.